Students seeking licensure as elementary and secondary teachers must declare a minor in education/teacher licensure. Typically, candidates for elementary licensure major in psychology, although with careful planning students majoring in the other liberal arts and science disciplines may also complete the licensure program. Candidates for secondary licensure must major in a discipline for which Norwich is approved to grant licensure: English, mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, environmental studies, physics), and social studies (history, international studies, and political science). For both programs, one semester must be reserved exclusively for student teaching and the special education seminar. In some cases, a ninth semester may be required in order to complete a licensure program.
Vermont is a member of the Interstate Certification Project. Graduates of state-approved educator preparation programs may use the Vermont license to apply for an initial regular license/certificate in thirty-eight states. The Norwich program is state-approved.
Program theme
The Teacher Education Licensure Program reflects a strong belief that significant learning occurs through modeling and reflection. Students are encouraged, through their courses, to reflect upon their learning experiences in order to join theory to practice. Numerous school-based experiences will allow the students many opportunities to work with various teachers who demonstrate best practices. The Education/Teacher Licensure Program is a well-rounded program that provides teaching pedagogy with numerous opportunities for reflection.
The program consists of the elementary track and the secondary track. Prospective elementary and secondary teachers may major in psychology or in another liberal arts or science discipline. A strong core of education courses will interface with the liberal arts or science major, allowing for a versatile, engaging learning experience.
Elementary track
Students preparing to be elementary school teachers must:
- fulfill the degree requirements for the psychology, liberal arts or science major;
- complete each of the following:
- PY211: Introduction to Psychology
- PY220: Developmental Psychology
- PY342: Learning and Motivation
- PY315: The Exceptional Child
- complete each of the following:
- ED101: Foundations of Education I
- ED102: Foundations of Education II
- ED201: Foundations of Education III
- ED202: Foundations of Education IV
- ED232: Curriculum and Methods of the Elementary School Subjects
- ED234: Learning Strategies
- ED360: Language Arts and Teaching Reading in the Elementary School
- ED425: Internship
- MA360: Teaching of Math at Elementary and Middle Schools
- ED351: Science Methods for Elementary Teachers
- ED425: Internship
Secondary track
In order to be recommended for licensure as a secondary school teacher, a student must:
- be enrolled in an appropriate secondary school major:
- biology
- chemistry
- English
- geology
- history
- international studies
- mathematics
- physics
- political science
- complete each of the following:
- PY211: Introduction to Psychology
- PY220: Developmental Psychology
- PY324: Adolescent Psychology
- PY342: Learning and Motivation
- PY315: The Exceptional Child
- complete each of the following:
- ED101: Foundations of Education I
- ED102: Foundations of Education II
- ED201: Foundations of Education III
- ED202: Foundations of Education IV
- ED234: Learning Strategies
- ED363: Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
- ED368: Curriculum Methods for Secondary Teachers
- ED425: Internship
- Recommended:
- MA360 Teaching of Math at Elementary and Middle School Levels
Additionally, all teacher licensure candidates in both tracks must:
- attain a 3.0 average in all course work;
- complete sixty hours of practicum experience prior to student teaching—this will be facilitated through your course work;
- attain an overall “B” (3.0) average to enroll in ED425 Student Teaching; and
- receive a grade of "B" or better in ED425 Internship.
These four requirements reflect the current Vermont State Department of Education requirements and are subject to change to adhere to state requirements.
The “fifth-year” program
For those with degrees in appropriate fields, an opportunity to become a candidate for licensure is provided through a “fifth-year” program. These students are nonmatriculating students and each candidate's course work and experience are evaluated and a program of study is recommended based upon the traditionally approved Teacher Education/Licensure Program.
Typically, for candidates without education or psychology courses, the program takes from one and one-half to two years to complete. Because of course sequencing, a candidate with some of the required courses must commit to a minimum of one year. Candidates must meet the same requirements for licensure as those students enrolled in the regular program.
The portfolio
All licensure candidates are required to complete a portfolio. Development of the portfolio begins in ED234 and is reviewed throughout your program. Substantial progress toward completion must be demonstrated before the student is admitted to student teaching. After student teaching has been completed with a “B” or better, the portfolio is submitted to the full-time faculty member and a second reader for review. If approved, the portfolio is presented to the Norwich University Licensure Committee and upon approval by the committee, the candidate is recommended for licensure for the appropriate subject and/or level. The portfolio must be approved no later than one year after completion of the program. It must reflect any changes in state regulations.
Praxis
In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must achieve a passing score on the Praxis I and II tests. Both Praxis I and II are preprofessional skills tests that Teacher Education Licensure Candidates are required to take. Praxis I should be completed by the end of 60 credits. Praxis II should be completed by the end of 90 credits.
All candidates seeking initial Vermont licensure must meet the composite Praxis I test score of 526 (e.g., Reading – 177, Writing – 174, and Mathematics – 175).
Alternative to Praxis: The Vermont State Board of Education adopted the following assessments as alternatives to Praxis I. The results of these assessments will be accepted in lieu of Praxis I if teacher education licensure candidates meet the total and minimum scores presented below. These scores are equivalent to meeting Vermont's passing scores on the Praxis I Test:
| Total Score | Verbal /English |
Math /Quantitative |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Record Exam (GRE) | 1100 | 500 | 500 |
| Scholarship Aptitude Test (SAT) | 1100 | 500 | 500 |
| American College Test (ACT) | 22 | 22 |
Faculty:
Prof. Diane Byrne, MEd, NBCT, ABD, Assistant Professor of Education and Psychology
Program Director
Timothy Thurber, EdD, Visiting Assistant Professor of Education, Secondary Education
